Many people are curious about the difference between gelato and ice cream. Here is some information on what makes the former different from the latter.
You've eaten ice cream, and you've eaten gelato. Both have adequately satisfied your sweet tooth, and both provide the necessary respite from the heat on a warm summer afternoon. How can you then, identify the difference between the two? Perhaps you assume that there is no difference.
It is natural, because both are dairy-based, frozen desserts, and even look and taste similar. Both are available in a variety of flavors, with fruits, nuts, and several other ingredients. However, both are manufactured in completely different ways.
Difference Between Gelato and Ice Cream
Many say that gelato is the Italian counterpart of regular ice cream. But there is a difference in the preparation, texture, and even nutrition between the two. It is true that the calories in gelato are lower than those in ice cream.
There are some more differentiating factors.
Firstly, there is a huge difference in the texture of gelato and ice cream. Gelato is creamier than its American counterpart. It is prepared from whole or low-fat milk, and a small amount of cream, that makes it low in butterfat content.
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This is unlike ice cream, which is prepared with large amounts of cream. Due to this quality, it also melts faster than ice cream, but this enhances its flavors. It is much more difficult to freeze gelato, which is why it is prepared and stored in smaller quantities.
Secondly, there is difference in the preparation procedure of the two. In the manufacturing process of ice cream, air is added to increase its volume and consistency. This also makes it easier to scoop out dollops of it. On the other hand, gelato is churned very slowly, so as to avoid the addition of air.
There is still, however, a small amount of air in gelato. This makes it creamier, minus the heavy calories that you consume with ice cream.
Thirdly, there is a difference in the calories in both the desserts. While a scoop of gelato contains around 150-170 calories, those in ice cream begin at 200, and may go much higher. However, the calories in both will vary, depending on the ingredients added to them.
One thing to remember is that while ice cream is made with the use of syrups and additional sweeteners, etc., the makers of gelato prefer to remain loyal to the traditional sweetener, namely sugar, that is used to make it, and avoid the use of such products. Of course there may be several exceptions to this case.
Gelato is maintained at a temperature about ten to fifteen degrees higher than that of ice cream, because of its high density. This means that a scoop of gelato is firm, but not hard, like ice cream.
The connoisseurs of this yummy dessert would argue that no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to achieve the real consistency of gelato when you try to make it at home. Apparently, it is only high-end procedures that provide the rich, dense, creamy texture and flavor to it.
Consuming either of the two is purely a matter of personal choice as people have varied tastes when it comes to desserts. You can settle for gelato if you are conscious about your calorie intake but cannot resist your temptation. However, ice cream still remains to be a more popular choice when it comes to frozen desserts.